Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not service-connected as they are considered to be due to civilian noise exposure rather than military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of service connection based on credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of chronic fatigue syndrome in the record. The Veteran's current fatigue symptoms are attributed to his psychiatric disability, and thus, service connection for CFS under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 is not granted.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The case was remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment records from a police department where the Veteran worked after service. After further examination and review, the Board finds that additional development is needed, particularly regarding the nature and extent of any tinnitus found and whether it is proximately due to noise exposure in service or a head injury sustained in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for chloracne, increased rating for right orbital fracture with related conditions, increased rating for tinnitus, and ratings for hearing loss and sinusitis are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and attempting to obtain SSA disability determination records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of her hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that there is no showing of a bilateral hearing loss disability during service or post-service, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The tinnitus issue was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination, and determine if compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus or residuals of a fracture of the right 3rd finger, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The bilateral hearing loss was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as to consider whether these disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure or 'rapid descent flying' during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for eczematous dermatitis with onychomycosis of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. These actions constitute a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records, Social Security Administration records, and post-May 2010 VA treatment records. The hearing request remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service. Service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of its onset or causation in service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder and residuals of a broken left leg, as well as his claim for tinnitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his financial affairs and therefore, he is not competent for the purpose of receiving direct payment of his VA benefits.